Medical Scribe Jobs for Pre-Meds

Why Pre-Meds Should Consider Medical Scribing

As a pre-med student, every meaningful experience you add to your application increases your chances of getting into medical school. But balancing a heavy academic load with extracurriculars, volunteering, and paid work is no small feat.

That’s why many students look for roles that combine income with healthcare exposure. Becoming a medical scribe is one of the most strategic options—you get paid, gain clinical experience, and strengthen your med school application all at once.

What Does a Medical Scribe Do?

Medical scribes support physicians by documenting patient encounters in real time. Instead of the doctor typing notes or updating records, the scribe does it for them, allowing physicians to focus fully on patient care.

Scribes are responsible for:

Charting patient histories and physical exams
Recording test results, prescriptions, and diagnoses
Transcribing physician dictations
Handling clerical tasks like pulling medical records

To succeed, you’ll need strong listening skills, excellent typing speed (around 60 WPM), and a sharp eye for detail. This job offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the medical world without direct responsibility for patient outcomes—perfect for pre-meds starting their journey.

Training and Requirements to Become a Medical Scribe

The path to becoming a scribe is refreshingly short. Most employers require:

A high school diploma
A basic understanding of medical terminology
Strong written communication skills

There are no national licensing requirements, and each employer may have their own preferences. That said, some preparation can give you a competitive edge.

Ways to Prepare for a Scribe Role

College Courses or Online Training

Some universities offer medical scribe prep courses, and many online options exist as well. These courses teach basic documentation, medical jargon, and common electronic medical record (EMR) systems.

On-the-Job Training

Most scribe jobs include some level of formal orientation or shadowing. You might start by observing an experienced scribe before documenting on your own. You’ll also learn about billing codes, EMR platforms, patient discharge protocols, and specific practice policies.

Optional Certification

If you want to stand out, consider becoming a certified medical scribe through organizations like the American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group (AHDPG). Their certification program includes:

A 100-question exam (multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank)
The option to advance from Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional (AMSP) to Medical Scribe Professional (MSP) after 200 hours of scribing

How to Balance Being a Scribe with Pre-Med Life

The beauty of scribing is that you can often work part-time or choose night/weekend shifts to fit your class schedule. Depending on the setting, you might work:

Days at a private practice
Nights or weekends in a hospital
Rotating shifts in urgent care clinics or rehab centers

It’s important to prioritize your GPA, so don’t overcommit. Choose a schedule that complements your academic workload while still giving you valuable exposure.

Can You Work in a Specialty of Interest?

Ideally, yes. If you're interested in OB/GYN, pediatrics, or internal medicine, try applying to a practice or department in that specialty. However, any clinical exposure is beneficial. Even if you don’t find your exact match, observing how healthcare professionals think, interact with patients, and solve problems is valuable preparation for your future.

Where to Find Medical Scribe Jobs

Job Boards and School Resources

Search engines like Indeed or Glassdoor are great places to start. You can also ask your pre-med advisor, check university job boards, or reach out directly to local clinics and hospitals.

Resume Tips for Scribing

Create a focused resume that emphasizes relevant skills and experiences, such as:

Fast and accurate typing
Note-taking or transcription experience
Familiarity with healthcare settings
Organizational skills

Add a "Skills" section if you have minimal experience, and customize your resume for each job you apply to.

Working Through a Scribing Company

Many hospitals contract scribes through staffing companies. Top ones include:

ScribeAmerica
ProScribeMD
iScribeMD

Working through one of these companies can provide more structured onboarding and may offer placement in high-volume healthcare settings like ERs or specialty clinics.

Complement Your Experience with a Global Health Internship

If you want to build even more impactful clinical experience, consider supplementing your scribe role with a global health internship abroad. Go Elective offers healthcare internships in Kenya and Tanzania, where pre-med students shadow doctors in resource-limited hospitals.

Benefits of Global Clinical Exposure

First-hand exposure to diseases and cases less commonly seen in the U.S.
Experience working with limited resources
Cultural immersion and deeper empathy
Mentorship from local physicians and global health leaders

Learn more about Go Elective’s healthcare internships in East Africa.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a medical scribe is one of the most accessible and beneficial jobs for pre-med students. You’ll be immersed in the clinical environment, observe real-time patient care, and build a strong foundation for medical school. Even better, you can combine your scribing experience with international clinical internships to gain a broader global health perspective.

Interested in combining your clinical work with travel and cultural immersion? Learn more about Go Elective’s pre-med internships abroad and start building a standout application today.